Strictly’s Fleur East blames bosses for halting performance after dramatic fall in the dance-off

STRICTLY star Fleur East says she was prepared to continue after a dramatic fall in the dance-off – but bosses pulled the plug.

The Sun revealed 35-year-old Fleur had to restart during the pre-recorded show after the tumble with pro Vito Coppola.

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Fleur at her first attempt in last week’s dance-off – but it was kept secret from viewers[/caption]

The disastrous moment was not broadcast or even mentioned during Sunday’s results show.

Speaking about the incident for the first time on Loose Women today, Fleur said: “As soon as it happened I was ready to keep going.

“I always think, ‘the show goes on’, but production decided to stop the music.”

Vito told how he hit the deck at the start of their routine and he was checked over by medics.

The pair blamed “health and safety” for the dance having to be re-recorded.

Vito said: “I fell down on the chair. Everyone was gasping, but Fleur was ready to keep going.

“[The medics] made sure I was OK.”

Despite the unfortunate incident, Fleur and Vito were saved by the judges.

They voted the pair through at the expense of East­Ender James Bye.

A source said: “It was a deeply unfortunate incident, and not Fleur or Vito’s fault at all.

“About five seconds in, when she was meant to pull Vito along in the prop chair, the legs slipped.

“She came crashing down, taking Vito down too.

“They landed incredibly hard — it was quite shocking and the audience audibly gasped.

“Poor Fleur looked stunned and devastated, and no one really knew what was happening on or off stage. Eventually the warm-up guy came on and addressed the audience while Fleur and Vito got checked out.

“They started their dance again and obviously this second version was the one aired.

“There was no reference to the fall by the judges either.

“To be fair, James wasn’t bothered at all — he genuinely believed she was the better dancer on the night — but a few of the other stars backstage were pretty stunned.

“It’s not exactly a live performance if stars get to have another crack of the whip.”

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Fleur and Vito were later voted through to the next show by the four judges — who gave the axe to EastEnder James Bye[/caption]

BBC

The chair Vito sat on slipped, leading to the fall[/caption]